SPI Insights

The National Security Collaboration Center (NSCC) at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) joined the United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) Academic Engagement Network (AEN) in January.

AEN’s overarching goals include engaging the future workforce, increasing cyber applied research and innovation, expanding cyber focus analytic partnerships, and enriching strategic dialogue between organizations.

Partnership with the U.S. Cyber Command creates new opportunities for UTSA students to work alongside Department of Defense (DoD) operators, developers, and researchers on matters of national security, using their cyber skills to address global issues in real-time, NSCC Executive Director and Brig. General (Ret.) Guy Walsh said.

UTSA is one of 84 colleges and universities from 34 states that have been selected to partner across the Command’s entire organization. The network includes USCYBERCOM Headquarters, Joint Force HQ-DODIN, the Cyber National Mission Force, Air Force Cyber Command/ 16th Air Force, Army Cyber Command/ 2nd Army, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyberspace Command, and the U.S. Coast Guard Cyber Command.

Created by the National Security Agency in 2009, USCYBERCOM is one of the DoD’s 11 unified combatant commands, focused on cyberspace operations and capabilities, cyber expertise, and cyberwarfare.

USCYBERCOM’s intent in the first year is to extend partnership opportunities to all 84 institutions through collaboration and access to the cyber enterprise via scheduled monthly events and engagements with the staff and their commands, to gain unique insights from the partnering institutions, and to cross-share faculty and student research in key areas of focus.